[Crustacea • 2026] Stenasellus angiangensis • An updated Phylogeny of the Family Stenasellidae (Isopoda), with A New Species of Stenasellus from southern Vietnam

 

 Stenasellus angiangensis Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Douady & Malard,

in Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Deharveng, Konecny-Dupré, Douady et Malard, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.185185 

Abstract

Our current understanding of the molecular systematics of Stenasellidae, a species-rich family of obligate groundwater isopods known from Africa, Asia, Europe and North-America, is based primarily on specimens of the genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 collected in Europe. Here, we provide an updated phylogeny of the family comprising specimens of Stenasellus collected from multiple countries in Asia, including Iran, Turkmenistan, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam as well as specimens of Metastenasellus Magniez, 1979 collected in Africa. First, we used COI-based molecular species delimitation methods to delimit putative species within the family Stenasellidae. Second, we built a phylogeny of the Stenasellidae comprising 48 putative species, for which two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes were available. Third, we describe Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. from the hyporheic zone of streams located in mountainous islands of the Mekong River Delta, the first representative of the family Stenasellidae described from Vietnam. We show that the number of putative species delimited using various COI-based molecular species delimitation methods largely surpass the number of species described based on morphological criteria. The four-gene phylogeny reveals, for the first time, a robustly supported and broadly distributed Asian clade comprising Stenasellus species from Iran, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam, including Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. as the sister taxon to Stenasellus cambodianus Boutin & Magniez, 1985 from southern Cambodia. Our phylogeny strongly questions the monophyly of the genus Stenasellus, even though the latter cannot be definitively rejected due to difficulties in resolving the phylogenetic relationships among the clades identified within stenasellids.

Keywords: Asellota, Asia, Diversity, groundwater, Indochina, Peracarida, subterranean

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1816

Suborder Asellota Latreille, 1802

Family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924

Genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897

Stenasellus angiangensis Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Douady & Malard, sp. nov.

The habitat (a) and general view (b–d) of Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. in the An Giang Province, Mekong Delta area in southern Vietnam. Specimens were collected using a hand net in the hyporheic zone and springs of mountainous streams.

 Ivan N. Marin, Dmitry M. Palatov, Nguyễn Văn Thinh, Louis Deharveng, Lara Konecny-Dupré, Christophe J. Douady and Florian Malard. 2026. An updated Phylogeny of the Family Stenasellidae (Crustacea, Isopoda), with A New Species of Stenasellus from southern Vietnam. Subterranean Biology. 55: 187-215.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.185185 [15 Apr 2026]

[Invertebrate • 2025] Taxonomy and Ecological insights into Melinnopsis shinkaiae sp. nov., A Polychaete with a vertical tube from the Daiichi-Kashima Seamount (Northwest Pacific)

 

Melinnopsis shinkaiae 

Jimi, Hookabe, Woo & Fujiwara, 2025

DOI doi.org/10.3800/pbr.20.29 

 

Abstract  

Melinnopsis shinkaiae sp. nov. represents the fifth species of the genus Melinnopsis to be discovered in Japan. The new species was collected using the submersible Shinkai 6500 at 3623 m depth of Daiichi-Kashima Seamount, a locality with relatively unexplored biodiversity. Our in-situ observation revealed that the species inhabits the upper end of a vertical tube built on the seafloor. The species is differentiated from its congeners by combination of the following morphological characteristics: i) the presence of 12 thoracic uncinigers; ii) the absence of a postbranchial dorsal membrane; iii) the arrangement and shape of four pairs of branchiae; iv) thoracic uncini with a small basal tooth on each three teeth above the rostral tooth; v) absence of longitudinal groove in the large buccal tentacle.

Keywords: Terebelliformia, taxonomy, Melinnidae, Polychaeta, seamount

Melinnopsis shinkaiae sp. nov.
A–C, in situ observations of tubes. D, a collected tube.
E, drawing of tubes. White arrows indicate tubes.  

Scale bar: B–C, 30 cm; D, 2 cm

 Melinnopsis shinkaiae sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific name shinkaiae derives from HOV Shinkai 6500, that was used for sampling of the new species. The new Japanese name “Takeuma-kazarigokai” is derived from the vertical tube that evokes “Takeuma,” which refers to Japanese stilts.

Naoto Jimi, Natsumi Hookabe, Sau Pinn Woo and Yoshihiro Fujiwara. 2025. Taxonomy and Ecological insights into Melinnopsis shinkaiae sp. nov., A Polychaete with a vertical tube from the Daiichi-Kashima Seamount (Northwest Pacific). Plankton and Benthos Research. 20(1); 29-35. DOI doi.org/10.3800/pbr.20.29 [February 28, 2025]

[Crustacea • 2025] Caribodillo martinicensis • A New Genus and Species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea: Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique

Caribodillo martinicensis  

Kästle, Binder, Jones & Coulis, 2025

  

 sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47/29

 Researchgate.net/publication/397676418

The terrestrial isopods of the family Armadillidae Brandt, 1833 are poorly known in tropical regions, many new species remain to be described and the classification of many already described species requires revision. The aim of this work is to improve our knowledge of the terrestrial isopods of this family in Martinique, an island in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The species Caribodillo martinicensis n. gen., n. sp. is described, and a genetic barcode (CO1) is provided. Furthermore, the relationship between Caribodillo n. gen., and Venezillo Verhoeff, 1928 is discussed. The species constitutes the second Armadillidae endemic to the Lesser Antilles, the first one being Cubaris depressa (Dollfuss, 1896) from Saint-Vincent. In addition to increasing our knowledge on the invertebrate biodiversity of the lesser Antilles, the description of this new genus will facilitate the taxonomy of Armadillidae species in the region.

Keywords: Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, Neotropics, Venezillo, woodlice, fluorescence, barcoding, new species, new genus

Caribodillo martinicensis n. gen., n. sp. 

 

 

Benedikt KÄSTLE, Stephanie BINDER, Nathan T. JONES and Mathieu COULIS. 2025. Description of A New Genus and Species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique. Zoosystema. 47(29); 721-729. DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2025v47a29 [14 November 2025]

  sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47/29

 Researchgate.net/publication/397676418_a_new_genus_and_species_of_terrestrial_isopod_endemic_to_Martinique

[Crustacea • 2025] Caecognathia tubicola • Two gnathiid isopods utilizing empty tubes of the polychaete worm Spirobranchus akitsushima in the Seto Inland Sea, western Japan, with the Description of A New Species

 

 Caecognathia tubicola 

Ota & Yoshimatsu, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.3800/pbr.20.248

Abstract

Two gnathiid species were collected from around Kagawa Prefecture, Seto Inland Sea, western Japan. One species was described as Caecognathia tubicola sp. nov. with detailed morphological examinations of male and female adults and larvae. A total of 130 individuals of C. tubicola were obtained from empty tubes of the polychaetous annelid Spirobranchus akitsushima in the intertidal zone. This species probably completes its life cycle around the aggregation of empty calcareous tubes of S. akitsushima on bedrock, as larvae at all developmental stages were found. Some adult females have significantly narrow thoraxes, a morphology that may be adapted to the elongate tubes. Small numbers of Elaphognathia cornigera (Nunomura, 1992) were also found in empty S. akitsushima tubes.

Keywords: Caecognathia, ectoparasite, intertidal zone, narrow thorax

 Caecognathia tubicola sp. nov. 
Habitat of at Mitoyoshi City, Kagawa Prefecture.
A, intertidal rocky shore with mats of aggregations of tube of polychaete worm Spirobranchus akitsushima;  B, mouth of empty tubes of S. akitsushima; C, male adult of C. tubicola in a tube.
Live specimens (D-F)

Family Gnathiidae Leach, 1814 

Genus Caecognathia Dollfus, 1901 

 

Caecognathia tubicola sp. nov.  

 [Japanese name: Kanzashi-umi-kuwagata]

Diagnosis. Dorsal surface of cephalosome, pereonites 1–3, and anterior part of pereonite 4 densely covered with fine granules; frontal border rounded, slightly dentate, fringed with fine setae; paraocular ornamentation multiple projections, covering part of eyes in dorsal view; pereonite 1 not fused with cephalon and divided into 3 parts; epimera not prominent on pleonites 1–5; pleotelson covered with pectinate scales on anterior half and fine spines on posterior part.

Yuzo Ota and Sadaaki Yoshimatsu. 2025. Two gnathiid isopods utilizing empty tubes of the polychaete worm Spirobranchus akitsushima in the Seto Inland Sea, western Japan, with the description of a new species. Plankton and Benthos Research. 20(4); 248-262. DOI: doi.org/10.3800/pbr.20.248

   x.com/mofumofu_marine/status/1993956358241337851

[Crustacea • 2022] Iansaoniscus leilae & I. paulae • Two New troglobitic Species of Iansaoniscus (Isopoda: Pudeoniscidae) from Brazilian caves

Iansaoniscus paulae

Cardoso, Bastos-Pereira & Ferreira, 2022

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.43.81308 

Abstract

Iansaoniscus species are troglobitic terrestrial isopods of the Pudeoniscidae family. In this work two new species are described from caves in the Bahia state, northeastern Brazil; I. leilae sp. nov. from Toca do Gonçalo cave, in the municipality of Campo Formoso; and I. paulae sp. nov. from Lapa do Bode cave in the municipality of Itaeté. Additionally, ecological notes and conservation status are provided for both new species.

Keywords: Cave fauna, Neotropics, Oniscidea, terrestrial isopods, troglobites

Iansaoniscus leilae sp. nov. habitat
A Toca do Gonçalo cave entrance B cave floor in the inner portion of the cave, where specimens were found C water table at the cave lower level D adult specimen inside the cave, frontal view E adult specimen inside the cave, lateral view F diesel pump installed inside the cave in the 70’s G electric pump installed inside the cave in 2010.

Iansaoniscus paulae sp. nov. habitat
 A limestone bordering the Paraguaçu river, where the Lapa do Bode cave’s entrance is located B one of the entrances of Lapa do Bode cave C a secondary entrance of Lapa do Bode cave D adult specimen inside the cave.

 Giovanna Monticelli Cardoso, Rafaela Bastos-Pereira and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2022. Two New troglobitic Species of Iansaoniscus from Brazilian caves (Crustacea, Isopoda, Pudeoniscidae). Subterranean Biology. 43: 127-143. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.43.81308 

[Crustacea • 2025] Bathynomus wilsoni • The Deepest known Supergiant deep-sea isopod: A New Species (Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the Sulu Sea, Philippines

 

Bathynomus wilsoni 

Ahyong, 2025

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY . 73; 

Abstract

 A new species of supergiant isopod, Bathynomus wilsoni, is described from the Sulu Sea, Philippines, from a depth of 2,500 m, the deepest record for the genus. Bathynomus wilsoni is the fifth Indo-West Pacific species having upcurved posterior spines on the pleotelson in adults and is readily distinguished from these species by the combination of longer posterolateral cephalic incisions, proportionally wider uropodal exopods with a more strongly convex lateral margin and a near semi-circular pleotelson with a bifid instead of simple apex on the central spine. The new species is most similar to B. kensleyi Lowry & Dempsey, 2006, from northeastern Australia, a species with which it has been previously confused, but further differs in the stouter uropodal exopod, the shape of the pleotelson and ornamentation of the anterior surface of the cephalon. Given that 26% of the 23 named extant species of Bathynomus were described within the last decade, species richness in the genus is probably significantly underestimated. Aspects of diagnostic characters of B. kensleyi and allies are also discussed. 

Key words. Bathynomus, giant isopod, Sulu Sea, South China Sea, Philippines

Bathynomus wilsoni, new species, female holotype, 215 mm, Sulu Sea, Philippines, AM P42711:
A, cephalon, oblique anterior view; B, clypeal region; C, pleotelson; D, pleotelson central spine; E, right uropod, dorsal view; F, left uropod, ventral view; G, posterior pleonites, pleotelson and uropod, right oblique lateral view; H, pleotelson, right lateral view; I, pereonites 6–7 coxal plates, pleonites 1–5 pleura, right lateral view; J, pereonites 4–7 and pleonites 1–5, right lateral view.

Bathynomus wilsoni, new species, Sulu Sea, Philippines, colour when fresh: dorsal and ventral habitus: A, B, female holotype, 215 mm, AM P42711; C, D, male paratype, 212 mm, ZRC 2025.0098.

(Photographs: G.D. Wilson).

Bathynomus wilsoni, new species 

Diagnosis. Cephalon anteromedian surface without shallow, irregularly ridged sulcus; cephalic ridge above eyes discontinuous; maxillipedal somite incisions deep, extending inward from posterolateral margin for length equivalent to about ⅓ distance between left and right incisions. Pleonites 1–5 combined length 17–18% body length; pleonites 3–5 pleural apices extending posteriorly to about same level or ...

Etymology. The type specimens were collected during the Scripps Institution of Oceanography expedition, PAPATUA, and brought to the Australian Museum by George D. F. (Buz) Wilson, my former Professor. It is most fitting to name the new species after Buz.

SHANE T. AHYONG. 2025. The Deepest known Supergiant deep-sea isopod: Bathynomus wilsoni, A New Species from the Sulu Sea, Philippines (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY . 73; 169–183. 

[Paleontology• 2025] Dysopodus gezei • A 125 Million-year-old freshwater Isopod shines new light on the Origin of Subterranean Freshwater Species

 

Dysopodus gezei 

Schädel, Azar, El Hajj, Maksoud & Robin, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241512 

 x.com/RobinNinon1

Artwork by Aldrich Hezekiah

Abstract

Here, we report fossil isopods preserved in laminated oil-shale mudstone (dysodile) from the Lower Cretaceous of Lebanon (Lower Barremian, 125 Ma, Grès du Liban Alloformation, Jezzine District). Based on a variety of proxies, their palaeoenvironments are determined to have been a shallow freshwater lake. The fossil isopods were studied using modern imaging techniques, such as multispectral imaging and photometric stereo, allowing for a detailed comparison of these specimens with comparable extant and fossil taxa. The conspecific fossils are herein recognized as remains of a new species—†Dysopodus gezei gen. et sp. nov.—of uncertain affinity within Cymothoida and bearing a strong resemblance to its non-parasitic lineages (Cirolanidae). A conspicuous pleotelson and uropod morphology set it apart from most species, with the notable exception of †Pseudoplakolana chiapaneca gen. nov. et comb. nov. from the Cretaceous of Mexico, originally attributed to an Australasian lineage (herein disputed). So far, the biogeographical distribution of the peri-Mediterranean underground fauna has predominantly been explained through a passive isolation process of former marine species, driven by regressing coastlines. Stemming from a freshwater lake environment, the 125 million-year-old fossils from Lebanon provide an unconventional perspective on the evolutionary origin of extant cave- and groundwater-dwelling cymothoidans.

  †Dysopodus gezei gen. et sp. nov., holotype CRU 63124/1, micro-photographic images.
(a) coaxial white light, cross-polarized. (b) visible light-induced luminescence, excitation maximum 435 nm (violet), collected light 835 nm ± 70 nm (infrared). (c) false-colour image derived from multispectral imaging, blue channel: excitation maximum 385 nm (UV), collected light 360 nm ± 23 nm (UV), green channel: excitation maximum 490 nm (cyan), collected light 571 nm ± 72 nm (yellow), red channel: excitation maximum 435 nm (violet), collected light 835 nm ± 70 nm.

 Scale bar: 3 mm. at, antenna; atl, antennula; c, carpus; plt, pleotelson; pp, propodus; pr1−2, pereonites 1−2; un, uropodal endopod; ux, uropodal exopod; ?, unknown structure, likely not part of the isopod.

 Palaeoenvironmental habitat reconstruction for †Dysopodus gezei gen. et sp. nov. (foreground) - a Barremian freshwater lake in the region of present-day Bkassine (Lebanon).

Artwork by Aldrich Hezekiah.

Mario Schädel, Dany Azar, Layla El Hajj, Sibelle Maksoud and Ninon Robin. 2025. A 125 Million-year-old freshwater Isopod shines new light on the Origin of Subterranean Freshwater Species. R. Soc. Open Sci. 12; 241512. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241512 [02 April 2025]

 x.com/RobinNinon1/status/1907406641357636000

 

[Crustacea • 2025] Bathynomus vaderi • A New Species of supergiant Bathynomus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 (Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from Vietnam, with Notes on the Taxonomy of Bathynomus jamesi

Bathynomus vaderi

 Ng, Sidabalok & Nguyen, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.139335 

Abstract

A new supergiant species of Bathynomus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 from Vietnam is described. Bathynomus vaderi sp. nov. is characterised by its wide, rectangular clypeal region with parallel lateral margins, concave distal margin, and narrowly acute apex; the distally narrowing and posteriorly curved coxa of pereopod 7; and the presence of 11 upwardly curved pleotelson spines. The new Bathynomus is the fourth species with upwardly curved pleotelson spines and the second supergiant in the South China Sea. The taxonomy of B. jamesi Kou, Chen & Li, 2017 from the South China Sea is also discussed based on a large series of specimens. Previously reported differences in body form and pleotelson spines, which suggest that there may be two forms or species, are regarded as intraspecific variation for the time being. The contemporary culinary trend and fishing of Bathynomus in Vietnam, which have contributed to this discovery, are also discussed.

Key words: Deep sea, fisheries, morphology, new taxon, taxonomy, seafood

Bathynomus vaderi sp. nov., paratype ♂ (258 mm) (ZVNU 110001), Vietnam, colour in life
A dorsal view B body, ventral view C cephalon, anterior view.

A–D Bathynomus vaderi sp. nov., holotype ♂ (266 mm) (ZRC 2022.0621), Vietnam
E–H B. jamesi Kou, Chen & Li, 2017, ♂ (320 mm) (MNHN IS.2290), Philippines
A, E clypeal region B, F pereon lateral view C, G pleotelson, dorsal view D, H pleotelson, lateral view.

Abbreviations: c6 = coxa of pereopod 6; c7 = coxa of pereopod 7.

Bathynomus vaderi sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Clypeal region with lateral margin parallel, distal margin concave, apex narrowly acute, transversely rectangular (Figs 4C, 5C, 6C, 9A). Coxa of pereopod 7 narrows distally, curved posteriorly (Figs 5D, 6D, E, 9B). Distinct row of setae present between pleotelson spines; 11 upwardly curved pleotelson spines; pleotelson 0.6 as long as wide (Figs 5A, 9D); pleotelson vaulted laterally (Figs 6E, 9C). Appendix masculina slightly shorter than or reaching to end of endopod of pleopod 2 (Fig. 10A).

Etymology: The species named after the most famous Sith Lord in the Star Wars movie series, Darth Vader, whose helmet resembles the head of the new Bathynomus species.

 Peter K. L. Ng, Conni M. Sidabalok and Thanh Son Nguyen. 2025. A New Species of supergiant Bathynomus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cirolanidae) from Vietnam, with Notes on the Taxonomy of Bathynomus jamesi Kou, Chen & Li, 2017. ZooKeys. 1223: 289-310. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.139335 

[Crustacea • 2024] Proasellus abini • A New Species of the Genus Proasellus (Isopoda: Asellidae) from the Abin River Basin, with the preliminary data on the Diversity of the Genus in the southwestern foothills of the Russian Caucasus

Proasellus abini 

Marin & Sinelnikov, 2024

 

https://kmkjournals.com/journals/Inv_Zool

  Researchgate.net/publication/379311343

ABSTRACT 

 A new stygobiotic species of the genus Proasellus Dudich, 1925 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae), Proasellus abini sp. n., is described from the hyporheic habitats and groundwater of the Abin River basin, located in the southwestern foothills of the Caucasian Ridge. The new species is morphologically and genetically close to Proasellus linearis Birštein, 1967, known from the Evstafiev Sсhel (=Ashamba River) near Gelendzhik. Data on phylogeny, ecology and feeding of the species and other SW Caucasian species of the genus are also presented in the paper.

KEY WORDS: Crustacea, diversity, Proasellus, new species, hyporhea, stygobiotic, southwestern Caucasus, Russia.

General view and natural habitat of Proasellus abini sp. n.:
 A — a forest well, Shids, general view; B, C — individuals of the new species on the bottom and walls of the well; D, F — general dorsal view of alive individual of the new Proasellus abini sp.n. and its lateral view (E).

 Proasellus abini sp. n.

 

Marin I.N. and Sinelnikov S.Yu. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Proasellus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae) from the Abin River Basin, with the preliminary data on the Diversity of the Genus in the southwestern foothills of the Russian Caucasus. Invertebrate Zoology. 21(1); 81–93. 

https://kmkjournals.com/journals/Inv_Zool/IZ_Index_Volumes/IZ_21/IZ_21_1_081_093

  Researchgate.net/publication/379311343_A_new_species_of_Proasellus_from_the_Abin_River_basin_Russian_Caucasus

  x.com/iee_ras/status/1871075641082237437

[Crustacea • 2023] Diploexochus spinatus & D. obscurus • Cave-dwellers Diploexochus (Isopoda, Armadillidae): New Species and New Records of the Genus from Brazil

 

Diploexochus spinatus

Cardoso, Bastos-Pereira & Ferreira, 2023

DOI: 10.1590/2358-2936e2023008 

 facebook.com/JournalNauplius

Abstract

Two new species of Diploexochus are described. Diploexochus spinatus sp. nov. from Lapa do Honorato cave, located in the municipality of Iuiu, and Diploexochus obscurus sp. nov. from Água Escura I cave, located in the municipality of Carinhanha, both in the southwest of Bahia State, northeastern Brazil. Both species are likely to occur in caves due to anthropogenic impacts in the surrounding area (such as deforestation) and/or looking for the stable microclimatic conditions found in the subterranean realm. Additionally, D. echinatus is recorded in a cave in the municipality of Rurópolis, Pará State, northern Brazil. These represent the first records of the genus for subterranean environments.

Keywords: Bahia; cave species; Neotropics; terrestrial isopods; Woodlice

 

Diploexochus spinatus sp. nov.
A, Karstic area surrounding Honorato cave; B, Honorato cave; C, Tapera D’água cave;
D, Diploexochus spinatus sp. nov. from Honorato cave; E, D. spinatus sp. nov. from Tapera D’água cave.

Diploexochus obscurus sp. nov.
A, Karstic area surrounding Água Escura I cave; B, entrance of Água Escura I cave; C, conduit where the specimens were found;
D, live specimen of Diploexochus obscurus sp. nov. in lateral view; E, live specimen of D. obscurus sp. nov. in dorsal view.

Giovanna Monticelli Cardoso, Rafaela Bastos-Pereira and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2023. Cave-dwellers Diploexochus (Isopoda, Armadillidae): New Species and New Records of the Genus from Brazil.  Nauplius. 31; DOI: 10.1590/2358-2936e2023008 

 facebook.com/JournalNauplius/posts/562280135917760

[Crustacea • 2024] Proasellus mikhaili • A New stygobiotic Species of the genus Proasellus Dudich, 1925 (Isopoda: Asellidae) from the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, Russia

 Proasellus mikhaili Palatov & Chertoprud, 2024

Map of collection sites in the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, general view and natural habitats of described species: A — habitus of P. mikhaili sp.n., paratype (♂); 6 — collection sites
C — photos of collection sites of P. mikhaili: 6a — spring stream (rheokrene) on Kadosh Cape, 3.5 km to NW of Tuapse town, ...; 6b — the Agoy River on the NE outskirts of Agoy village, ...

 https://KMKJournals.com/journals/Inv_Zool

ABSTRACT 

A new stygobiotic species of water louses of the genus Proasellus Dudich, 1925 (Crustacea: Isopoda), P. mikhaili sp. n., is described from springs and groundwaters in the vicinity of the town of Tuapse on the Black Sea coast of the northwestern Caucasus, Russia. Representatives of this genus are reported for the first time from this coastal area. This new species is characterized by a number of unique features that immediately distinguish it from all known other Caucasian species of the genus. At present, this is the only species described from the region that has three connecting hooks in the retinacula of male pleopods I, as well as a shortened exopodite of pleopod V, significantly shorter than the endopodite in length. Among the diagnostic characters of this species are also a poor ornamentation of pereopods I–VII and a specific chetotaxis of the pleotelson represented by a dense covering of thin, hair-like setae. Probably, this species is an endemic of the Tuapsinsky District.

KEY WORDS: Crustacea, Asellidae, new species, stygobionts, crenobionts, local endemism, Transcaucasia.

Map of collection sites for Proasellus mikhaili sp. n. in the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, general view and natural habitats of described species: 
A — habitus of P. mikhaili sp.n., paratype (♂);
B — map of collection sites for Proasellus in the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. Numbers refer to: 1 — P. infirmus; 2 — P. linearis; 3 — P. ljovuschkini; 4 — P. similis; 5 — P. abini; 6 — P. mikhaili sp. n.;
C — photos of collection sites of P. mikhaili: 6a — spring stream (rheokrene) on Kadosh Cape, 3.5 km to NW of Tuapse town, 44°07ʹ37.55″N 39°02ʹ03.92″E; 6b — the Agoy River on the NE outskirts of Agoy village, 44°09ʹ05.1″N 39°02ʹ59.7″E.

Order Isopoda Latreille 1816 

Suborder Asellota Latreille, 1802 

Superfamily Aselloidea Latreille, 1802 

Family Asellidae Latreille, 1802 

Genus Proasellus Dudich, 1925 

 

Proasellus mikhaili sp. n.

DIAGNOSIS. Medium sized, depigmented species. Antenna I with six to seven flagellar articles, flagellum of antenna II with 42–55 articles. Inner plate of maxillula with five or six apical pappose setae. Propodus I elongate, oval, its inferior margin without a proximal apophysa, with two or three robust spiniform setae. Dactylus I with four or five short robust setae on inferior margin and ...

ETYMOLOGY. The species is named in honor of the renowned Russian hydrobiologist Mikhail Vitalievich Chertoprud (30.01.1975–23.02.2023), who spent many years studying aquatic invertebrates in the Krasnodar Territory and repeatedly conducted hydrobiological training courses at Cape Kadosh near Tuapse. 

Dmitry M. Palatov and Elizaveta M. Chertoprud. 2024. A New stygobiotic Species of the genus Proasellus Dudich, 1925 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae) from the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, Russia. Invertebrate Zoology. 21(3); 369–383. 

https://kmkjournals.com/journals/Inv_Zool/IZ_Index_Volumes/IZ_21/IZ_21_3_369_383

[Crustacea • 2024] Protracheoniscus krivolutskyi • A New Species of the Genus Protracheoniscus Verhoeff, 1917 (Isopoda: Oniscidea: Agnaridae) from the northwestern Caucasus

 

Protracheoniscus krivolutskyi Gongalsky, 

in Gongalsky, Byzov et Medvedev, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.15298/arthsel.33.1.06  

ABSTRACT 

 Protracheoniscus krivolutskyi sp. n. (Agnaridae) is described from the Utrish State Nature Reserve at the Black Sea coast of Russia. Analysis of COI gene and Scanning Electron Microscopy support the validity of this species. Affinities of the species within the genus are discussed.

KEY WORDS: Isopoda, COI, phylogenetic analysis, Oniscidea, Abrau Peninsula, woodlouse, Protracheoniscus.

Alive specimen of Protracheoniscus krivolutskyi sp. n. (female), from the Urtish State Nature Reserve, NE Caucasus, Russia, kept in culture.

TAXONOMY 

Class Malacostraca Latreille, 1802 

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1817 

Family Agnaridae Schmidt, 2003 

Genus Protracheoniscus Verhoeff, 1917 

Protracheoniscus krivolutskyi Gongalsky sp. n.

 

DIAGNOSIS. The species of Protracheoniscus is characterized by the antennal flagellum with the articles of a ratio 1:2; noduli laterales are located anteriorly of the middle line of pereonite 1.

ETYMOLOGY. The species name krivolutskyi originates from Prof. Dr. Dmitri A. Krivolutsky (1939–2004), a prominent Russian soil zoologist who encouraged the first author to study soil biology.

Konstantin B. Gongalsky, Philipp S. Byzov and Dmitry A. Medvedev. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Protracheoniscus Verhoeff, 1917 (Isopoda: Oniscidea: Agnaridae) from the northwestern Caucasus. Arthropoda Selecta. 33(1): 65–75. DOI: doi.org/10.15298/arthsel.33.1.06  

  Researchgate.net/publication/379190236_A_new_species_of_Protracheoniscus_from_the_northwestern_Caucasus

  x.com/PhilippByzov/status/1771775430783066496 

[Crustacea • 2024] Cryptione grandis • Resurrection of the parasitic isopod genus Cryptione Hansen, 1897 (Epicaridea: Bopyridae) and Description of A New Species of parasitic isopod (Epicaridea: Bopyridae) from the deep-sea shrimp Notostomus gibbosus (Caridea: Acanthephyridae) with an analysis of its phylogenetic position based on molecular data

Cryptione grandis sp. nov. from Notostomus gibbosus

 Williams, Horch, Ceballos & Bracken-Grissom, 2024

 DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12526-024-01475-z 

Abstract

A new species of pseudionine parasite is described from the deep-sea shrimp Notostomus gibbosus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881, collected in the Gulf of Mexico, the first record of a bopyrid parasitizing any member of the family Acanthephyridae Spence Bate, 1888. Morphological and molecular data are provided to support the inclusion of the new species and 12 other branchial ectoparasites of caridean shrimps in the genus Cryptione Hansen, 1897 that is resurrected herein. Cryptione is sister to the genus Pseudione sensu stricto, ectoparasites of axiid and callianassid shrimps as well as nephropid lobsters. The new species Cryptione grandis can be distinguished from its closest congeners including C. parviramus (Adkison, 1988) from the Gulf of Mexico by several female and male characters. The epicaridium larvae of C. grandis were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), only the second description of this stage for any species in the genus. A table listing all species in Cryptione and taxonomic notes on some species are provided.

Keywords: Bopyrid, Ectoparasite, Epicaridium larva, New species, Pseudioninae

Systematics

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1816

Suborder Epicaridea Latreille, 1825

Superfamily Bopyroidea Rafinesque, 1815

Family Bopyridae Rafinesque, 1815

Subfamily Pseudioninae Codreanu, 1967

Cryptione Hansen, 1897

Cryptione grandis sp. nov. from Notostomus gibbosus
(a–d female holotype (USNM 1716194); e male allotype (USNM 1716195)).
 a Lateral view of N. gibbosus with C. grandis sp. nov. extending from right branchial chamber (ventral view of female with larvae in brood chamber shown); b lateral view of N. gibbosus with C. grandis sp. nov. removed and positioned dorsal side up (male attached to posterior pleon, shown with arrow); c female dorsal view; d female ventral view; e male dorsal view.

Scale bars: a–d = 5 mm; e = 1.5 mm

Cryptione grandis sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet grandis is Latin for large or great, denoting the size of the female parasite.

Type locality: Northern Gulf of Mexico ...; type host: Notostomus gibbosus.

Jason D. Williams, Amanda P. Horch, Angela Ceballos and Heather Bracken-Grissom. 2024. Resurrection of the parasitic isopod genus Cryptione Hansen, 1897 (Epicaridea: Bopyridae) and Description of A New Species of parasitic isopod (Epicaridea: Bopyridae) from the deep-sea shrimp Notostomus gibbosus (Caridea: Acanthephyridae) with an analysis of its phylogenetic position based on molecular data. Marine Biodiversity. 54, 86. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12526-024-01475-z 

 

[Crustacea • 2024] Stenasellus stygopersicus • A Second Species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda: Stenasellidae) from sulfidic groundwater of Iran described using morphological and molecular methods

 

[A] Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov. in sulfidic water of Chah Kabootari Cave, Iran.
[B, C] S. tashanicus Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018 in Tashan Cave, Iran.  

 Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini, Issartel, Konecny-Dupré, Kuntner, Fatemi, Flot, Douady et Malard, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2024.968.2733

Abstract

We report on a new species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda, Stenasellidae) from groundwater of Iran. Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov. inhabits the Chah Kabootari Cave that is adjacent to the Tashan Cave, the type locality of the first recorded species of Stenasellidae from Iran, Stenasellus tashanicus Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018. Both caves are fed by sulfidic groundwater and belong to the Tashan-Chah Kabootari species-rich aquifer on the Zagros Mountains. Both species are characterized by a large body size (≥ 20 mm), a female-biased sexual size dimorphism, and a distinct black-pigmented Bellonci’s organ. Stenasellus stygopersicus differs from S. tashanicus by a short and wide protopodite of pleopod I, setae set essentially along the apical margin of pleopod I exopodite, the subequal length and width of the male pleopod II protopodite, and deeply bilobed endopodites of pleopods III–V. Molecular evidence suggests that while Stenasellus stygopersicus is sister to S. tashanicus, the species are genetically distinguishable, with divergence time estimates ranging from 23 to 39.8 Ma.

Keywords: biodiversity, phylogeny, Stenasellidae, groundwater, sulfidic cave

 A. Five specimens of Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov. in sulfidic water of Chah Kabootari Cave, Iran.
B. A specimen of S. tashanicus Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018 in Tashan Cave, Iran. C. Another specimen of S. tashanicus, hanging on the white biofilm floating at the surface of sulfidic water in Tashan Cave, Iran.

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1816

Superfamily Aselloidea Latreille, 1802

Family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924

Genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897

Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Body dorsal smooth, pleotelson being barely longer than its width (about 1.1 its width), short antennula (in males with only up to 34 segments in flagellum), barely overreaching antennal peduncle ( Fig. 3  ). Antenna with minute squama, ultimate segment of mandible palp without setae ( Fig. 3  ). Short and wide (length <width) protopodite of pleopod I, setae only along mesiodistal margin of pleopod I exopodite ( Fig. 5  ). Pleopod II protopodite subequal in length and width, exopodite segment II with only about 10 (9–11) plumose setae; endopod of pleopods III–V in males distally deeply bifurcated (i.e. bifurcation overreaches half of endopodite III–V length). A species with strongly female-biased sexual dimorphism in body size.

Etymology: The name of the new species is formed from the prefix ‘stygo’ (from ancient Greek ‘stýx’), a common prefix used to refer to groundwater dwelling animals, and the Latin word ‘persicus’ referring to Persia.

Jure Jugovic, Mohammad Javad Malek-Hosseini, Colin Issartel, Lara Konecny-Dupré, Matjaž Kuntner, Yaser Fatemi, Jean-François Flot, Christophe J. Douady and Florian Malard. 2024. A Second Species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda, Stenasellidae) from sulfidic groundwater of Iran described using morphological and molecular methods. European Journal of Taxonomy. 968(1); 256–274. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2024.968.2733